SAM McNESS INSPIRED BY BILLY JOE SAUNDERS

East End entertainer Sam McNess is gunning for his third consecutive professional victory when he takes on Yousef Al Hamidi at Bethnal Green’s York Hall on Friday 22nd January, exclusively live on BoxNation.

The 23 year-old, an avid West Ham fan, made an explosive debut at York Hall back in July when he stopped Aaron Robinson inside the first round. He followed his impressive debut with a points victory against Kevin McCauley at Harrow Leisure Centre.

Born in Whitechapel and trained by Mark Tibbs, McNess is confident of big things in 2016. First up is Al Hamidi and McNess is confident of another victory.

He said: “I’ve made a solid start to my professional career and I’m looking to really push on this year. 2016 will be all about keeping busy, upping my rounds and gaining as much experience as I can,”

“I’ve been training with Mark Tibbs for a while now, Mark and his dad are probably the most knowledgeable team in British boxing so I’m in a really privileged position.”

McNess, who is tipped as one of the most exciting prospects to come out of London, joined Billy Joe Saunders for two weeks at his training camp in Marbella ahead the Hatfield star’s world title fight against Andy Lee last month.

He added, “It was a brilliant experience for me, I learnt so much in the two weeks I spent out there. One day I hope to be in his shoes so it was really inspiring being involved in a training camp for a world title fight,”

“Everything Billy did, I did. While I was out there I stayed in Billy Joe’s apartment with Jimmy Tibbs. We trained at the same time, we ate at the same time and we rested at the same time, it was a real learning curve. I gained so much just from being in that environment.”

“He’s done it the hard way, I hope he keeps the belt for as long as possible. I’d like to see him involved in some big fights in 2016, I know there’s a possibility of a rematch with Chris Eubank Jr and Gennady Golovkin is another name I’ve seen mentioned, it’s going to be a big year for the both of us that’s for sure.”Headlining the show is Ryan Walsh making the first defence of his British Featherweight title againstDarren Trayner. Chief support on the card sees Dulwich’s Ahmet Patterson face Ryan Aston for the Vacant IBF Intercontinental Super-Welterweight Championship; on the undercard Erith super-bantamweightLewis Pettitt makes his comeback; Dagenham lightweight talent Ediz Hussein competes in a six rounder; West Ham super-welterweight Sam McNess; Chelmsford super-middleweight Billy Long; Chingford lightweight Archie Sharp; West Ham super-lightweight Ben Smith and Sidcup super-featherweight D.P Carr.

The Channel Of Champions, BoxNation, will televise live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546 and Talk Talk 415. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com Or watch online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.

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